Federal Railroad Administration 

National Law Enforcement Liaison Program

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Law Enforcement 

Liaison (LEL) Program is an essential component of the agency’s program to reduce the number and 

severity of highway-rail grade crossing collisions and trespass incidents along railroad rights-of-way. 

The FRA seeks law enforcement officers interested in serving either a one-year full-time detail 

assignment in its Washington, D.C. Headquarters, or quarter-time assignment in one of its eight 

regional offices. The liaison program was developed in partnership with the International Association 

of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the National Sheriffs Association (NSA). 

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Law Enforcement 

Liaison (LEL) Program is an essential component of the agency’s program to reduce the number and 

severity of highway-rail grade crossing collisions and trespass incidents along railroad rights-of-way. 

The FRA seeks law enforcement officers interested in serving either a one-year full-time detail 

assignment in its Washington, D.C. Headquarters, or quarter-time assignment in one of its eight 

regional offices. The liaison program was developed in partnership with the International Association 

of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the National Sheriffs Association (NSA). 

Selected officers are responsible for educating state, local and municipal law enforcement 

professionals, judges, and prosecutors about grade crossing safety and trespass prevention 

programs as well as the need for effective and sustained enforcement of existing applicable state and 

local laws. The LEL program is a critical element of FRA’s education, enforcement, and engineering 

efforts to prevent highway-rail grade crossing collisions and trespass incidents. 

Selected officers are responsible for educating state, local and municipal law enforcement 

professionals, judges, and prosecutors about grade crossing safety and trespass prevention 

programs as well as the need for effective and sustained enforcement of existing applicable state and 

local laws. The LEL program is a critical element of FRA’s education, enforcement, and engineering 

efforts to prevent highway-rail grade crossing collisions and trespass incidents. 

Selection for the positions is made by FRA’s Office of Safety Highway-Rail Crossing Safety and 

Trespass Prevention Programs Division. Qualified candidates must be full-time sworn officers or 

retired officers. Ideal candidates should have both practical experience with and knowledge of traffic 

safety, as well as collision investigation; some knowledge of railroad operations; the ability to 

effectively present ideas verbally and in writing to diverse groups; and basic computer literacy. Those 

seeking consideration must submit a letter of endorsement from their chief or managing supervisor. 

The national liaison position requires relocation to the Washington, D.C. area and extensive travel. 

Regional liaison officers work a minimum of five days each month for the FRA. Selected officers’ 

regular salaries and benefits are paid by the home jurisdiction while the Federal government pays the 

established rate for housing (D.C. position only), lodging, daily per diem, and other costs associated 

with official duties carried out on behalf of the FRA. 

Selection for the positions is made by FRA’s Office of Safety Highway-Rail Crossing Safety and 

Trespass Prevention Programs Division. Qualified candidates must be full-time sworn officers or 

retired officers. Ideal candidates should have both practical experience with and knowledge of traffic 

safety, as well as collision investigation; some knowledge of railroad operations; the ability to 

effectively present ideas verbally and in writing to diverse groups; and basic computer literacy. Those 

seeking consideration must submit a letter of endorsement from their chief or managing supervisor. 

The national liaison position requires relocation to the Washington, D.C. area and extensive travel. 

Regional liaison officers work a minimum of five days each month for the FRA. Selected officers’ 

regular salaries and benefits are paid by the home jurisdiction while the Federal government pays the 

established rate for housing (D.C. position only), lodging, daily per diem, and other costs associated 

with official duties carried out on behalf of the FRA. 

For nomination, submission or additional information contact: 

Mr. Ron Ries, Staff Director 

Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety and Trespass Prevention Programs Division 

Federal Railroad Administration 

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

Telephone: 202-493-6299 

Fax: 202-493-6216 

Email: Ron.Ries@dot.gov 
National and Regional Law Enforcement Liaison Duties 

• Promote and increase enforcement of grade crossing safety and trespass laws by 

conducting outreach to local police departments. 

• Serve as a liaison between the FRA and state, county and municipal law enforcement 

agencies, state prosecutors, judges, traffic safety commissions, state, county, and city 

executives, as well as with local federal agency offices through direct personal contact 

and attendance at certain IACP, NSA and FOP conferences. 

• Actively encourage and enable state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies

to communicate and work with railroad police officers. 

• Foster positive relationships between law enforcement, railroads and FRA by meeting 

with local police agencies, both line officers and command personnel by conducting 

“Roll Call” training. 

• Participate in “Officer on the Train” programs. 

• Coordinate enforcement emphasis patrols involving both railroad and local enforcement 

agencies.

Benefits to Law Enforcement Liaison Officers and home jurisdictions 

• Development of leadership skills. 

• Gain knowledge of federal policy-making processes. 

• Professional development opportunities include: writing and editing publications and 

correspondence; public speaking; national police convention attendance and 

participation; establishing and maintaining professional and industry contacts; and 

nationwide travel. 

• Training opportunities include: Grade Crossing Collision Investigation (GCCI); 

Operation Lifesaver, Inc. Presentations; and Railroad safety and operations. 

• National exposure and national recognition of the home jurisdiction. 

Benefits of the Program 

• Enhanced knowledge and awareness in the law enforcement community and among 

prosecutorial and judicial stakeholders of grade crossing safety and railroad trespass 

issues. 

• Better enforcement of existing state and local laws. 

• Improved communication and cooperation among state, county, municipal and railroad 

police agencies and the FRA. 

• Establish a “credible” police contact for law enforcement agencies that have little or no 

previous contact or experience with the U.S. DOT or FRA. 

• New or expanded partnering opportunities.